B1 Expression Formal

心配しないでください

shinpai shinaide kudasai

Please don't worry

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A polite and standard way to tell someone not to worry about a situation.

  • Means: Please do not feel anxious or concerned.
  • Used in: Professional settings, speaking to strangers, or polite social interactions.
  • Don't confuse: {心配|しんぱい}しないで (casual) with {心配|しんぱい}しないでください (polite).
Calm hand gesture + gentle smile = reassuring support

Explanation at your level:

This is a polite way to say 'don't worry'. Use it when someone is nervous.
Use this phrase to reassure others. It is polite and works well in most public situations.
This expression is essential for maintaining social harmony. It functions as a polite request to alleviate someone's anxiety, suitable for professional and formal social interactions.
This phrase demonstrates a grasp of Japanese politeness levels. It effectively manages interpersonal dynamics by signaling that the speaker has assumed responsibility for the situation, thereby relieving the interlocutor of their burden.
The phrase functions as a pragmatic marker of reassurance. It reflects the Japanese cultural preference for 'wa' (harmony), where the speaker minimizes the other's anxiety to prevent social discomfort. It is a cornerstone of consultative register.
From a cognitive linguistics perspective, this phrase acts as a directive that modulates the emotional state of the listener. By utilizing the 'te-form' + 'kudasai', the speaker asserts authority over the situation while maintaining a deferential stance, effectively neutralizing the listener's affective state.

Meaning

A phrase used to reassure someone who is anxious or concerned about something.

🌍

Cultural Background

Reassurance is a key part of maintaining social harmony.

💡

Politeness

Always use 'kudasai' with strangers.

Meaning

A phrase used to reassure someone who is anxious or concerned about something.

💡

Politeness

Always use 'kudasai' with strangers.

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct polite form.

{心配|しんぱい}______ください。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: しないで

The negative te-form is required before kudasai.

🎉 Score: /1

Frequently Asked Questions

1 questions

Yes, it is very polite.

Related Phrases

🔄

{大丈夫|だいじょうぶ}です

synonym

It's okay.

Where to Use It

💼

Office Deadline

Boss: Is the report ready?

Employee: {心配|しんぱい}しないでください。もうすぐ{完成|かんせい}します。

formal
🔍

Lost Item

Friend: I lost my keys!

You: {心配|しんぱい}しないでください、{探|さが}しましょう。

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Shin-pie' (a pie that is shiny). Don't worry about the shiny pie, it's safe to eat!

Visual Association

Imagine a calm person gently placing a hand on a nervous person's shoulder while saying the phrase.

Story

Ken was worried about his exam. His teacher smiled and said, 'Shinpai shinaide kudasai.' Ken felt his shoulders relax immediately.

Word Web

{心配|しんぱい}{大丈夫|だいじょうぶ}{安心|あんしん}{気|き}{手伝|てつだ}う{問題|もんだい}

Challenge

Use this phrase three times today in different polite contexts.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

No te preocupes

Spanish is more direct; Japanese requires the 'kudasai' for politeness.

French high

Ne vous inquiétez pas

French uses 'vous' for formal, Japanese uses 'kudasai'.

German high

Machen Sie sich keine Sorgen

German uses a reflexive verb structure.

Japanese self

{心配|しんぱい}しないでください

None.

Arabic moderate

لا تقلق

Arabic lacks the 'kudasai' equivalent, relying on tone.

Chinese moderate

别担心

Chinese is less focused on formal 'please' markers.

Korean high

걱정하지 마세요

Korean uses honorific suffixes.

Portuguese high

Não se preocupe

Portuguese is slightly more informal in daily usage.

Easily Confused

心配しないでください vs {安心|あんしん}してください

Means 'please be at ease', not 'don't worry'.

Anshin is about relief, shinpai is about anxiety.

FAQ (1)

Yes, it is very polite.

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